Stepladder



L. WHITWOOD Oct. 31, 1933.

STEPLADDER Filed May 3, 1932 wucwoc L Wfi iin/aol Patented Oct. 31, 1933 i* UNITEDSTATES PATENT forricr.

STEPLADDER Leroy Whitwood, Lakeland; Fla.

Application May 3, 1932. Serial No. 698,966

i' Claim. (o1. 22S- 29) This invention relates to the class of stepladders and pertains particularly to a stepladder having adjustable legs. j

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a stepladder of the three-legged type in which an extensible foot forms a part of each leg which facilitates the level positioning of the stepladder on uneven or inclined ground or in other positions where it would not be possible to use the ordinary type of stepladder.

Another object of the invention is to provide a three-legged stepladder in which the third or back leg is pivotally attached to the ladder platform and at its lower end is formed to provide two spaced portions between which a longitudinally extensible foot is adjustably held.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description of the same proceeds and the invention will be best understood from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing forming part of this specification, with the understanding, however, that the invention is not conned to any strict conformity with the showing of the drawing but may be changed or modied so long as such changes or modications mark no material departure from the salient features or" the invention as expressed in the appended claim.

In the drawing:-

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of the ladder embodying the present invention;

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the same;

Figure` 3 is a sectional View taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 2.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing wherein like numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the numerals 1 eachindicate a front leg i of the present stepladder between which legs the steps 2 are secured. The upper ends of these legs 1 are connected to the top or platform 3 by means of the bracket plates 4 which are secured to the under side of the platform, as illustrated.

As shown, each of the legs 1 is slightly bowed and the legs are so arranged that the lower ends flare outwardly or are divergently related. The steps 2 are braced by the brace rods 5 extending longitudinally therebeneath and passing at their p ends through the legs 1, the ends of the rods 5 y5v5 having securing nuts 6 thereon which bearby the numeral 7. This leg comprises the two bars 8 which at their upper ends are maintained wa1dly `and terminate inthe relatively short` straight lower ends 1l whichl are in spaced parallel relation and between which slides longitudinally the extension foot l2. As shown, one of the rungs 9 is disposed in relatively close proximity to the upper ends of the straight portions 11 and when the extension foot 12 is in raised position the notch 13 in the upper end thereof receives this adjacent rung 9 so that the foot will be held against oscillation.

The extension foot l2 is in the form of an elongated flat bar which ts snugly between the spaced lower ends of the rear leg bars 8, and has a longitudinal slot 14 therein through which passes the screw bolt 15 which is carried by and extended through the portions 11 of the back legbars 8. This screw bolt 15 is substantially T-shaped, having the flat cross head portion 16 which is secured to the adjacent bar by suitable screws and upon the other end of the bolt is threaded a thumb nut 17 which when tightened up against the portions l1 draw the same together to tightlyfrictionally grip the extension leg 12. The lower end of this leg l2 is pointed as indicated at 18, vso that the leg will secure of which is counter-sunk in the inner face of t the leg and secured by screws or other suitable means in the same manner as the bolt 15.

Suitably positioned against the outer face of each leg 1 is a front extension leg 21 which is in the form of a ilat bar having a longitudinally extending slot 22 therethrough which starts at the lower end and terminates at substantially the transverse center of the extension. This slot receives the adjacent bolt 20 and ico threaded on the bolt 20 is a thumb screw 23 which is designed to be drawn up against the Q adjacent extension to hold it in frictional engagement with the leg against which it is positioned.

Surrounding the lower portion of each leg 1 Y 1 is a yoke or collar 24 through which the adjacent leg extension passes and by which it is guided and held in parallel relation to the leg to which it is attached.

Between the spaced upper portions of the bars 8 of the rear leg there are mounted upon a suit- L2,2A able cross rod 25, the spaced parallel arms 26 which are connected at one end by a shelf-board 27. The arms are of sufficient length from the supporting rods to their free ends to engage under the top step 2 of the ladder lwhen the ladder is opened for use.

A chain or other suitable coupling means 28 is connected between each of the front legs l and the bar 8 therebehind so that the separa` tion of the front and rear legs is limited.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:-

A stepladder structure, comprising two iront leg members arranged in spaced parallel relation throughout a portion of their lengthsand having their ground engaging ends -`in divergent relation, a top member connecting and having the upper endsof the legsattached thereto, step members connecting said legs; a lrear leg com- 'prising two elongated members each 'pivotally connected at one end to saidtop member fand extending throughout a. portionzof their lengths in spaced parallel relation and converging at their lower ends, the lower ends of said rear leg members being in spaced relation and further being A, straight and parallel through a portion of their-length and to the lower ends thereof, cross brace bars connecting the members of said rear Yleg, a band surrounding the members of the rear leg at the lower ends thereof, an auxi- V'liary Vleg comprising a relatively short straight Vmember extending through said band and slidably positioned between the members of the rear legs, said auxiliary leg having a longitudinalslottherein, and further having a notch in its upper end, a bolt member passing through the the members of the rear leg and through said slot, said auxiliarylegwhen in one position relativle"to ltherear leg .having the notch' therein occupied by a cross bar connectingV the Arear leg members, and an auxiliary leg slidably adjustabb'T connected'with each of the rst mentioned legs. LEROY WHITWOQD.

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